Podcast: A loss might not be the worst thing for Ohio State right now

(Note: We recorded this episode before the Nick Bosa news.)

I think a lot about Ohio State’s 2015 season, and why things shook out the way they did. That team went through the whole year scraping by against lesser teams, before it all came crashing down in the ugliest way possible. The flipside of that loss was that it caused them to really evaluate the things that were going wrong, and they crushed Michigan and Notre Dame to end the season looking like the team we thought they’d be.

Through seven games, the 2018 Buckeyes are also struggling against lesser teams, and it’s worth wondering if a loss is what it’s going to take for the coaching staff to evaluate what’s going on, and for this team to reach its potential.

On this episode of the Hangout in the Holy Land, Patrick Mayhorn and I discuss that, plus recap the Minnesota game, and more.

Show Notes

1:52- Minnesota scoring 14 points doesn’t do justice to how sloppy Ohio State’s defense played.

3:50- So many slants.

5:15- Nope, this isn’t like 2014.

9:50- Would a loss actually be good for this team?

12:00- Why isn’t the coaching staff willing to make changes?

15:08- There’s no problem with a less-talented team giving Ohio State a game, but the problem is that they’re playing down to their opponents.

19:23- The irony of the passing game —and nothing else— working.

23:12- Middle of the defense getting crushed by bad positioning.

26-05- Isaiah Prince’s rough game, and wondering if the line can get better.

32:10- Another great day for Dwayne Haskins and the receivers.

34:12- Blake Haubeil should be the starting kicker.